Bananaquit Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBananaquit
Adult (Continental)
A small songbird with a curved, pointed bill; pinkish gape; bold white line above the eye; yellow underparts; and dark upperparts. The widespread “Continental” subspecies group, found from Mexico to Argentina, has a grayish throat, but some Caribbean subspecies groups have a black or whitish throat.
© Marcos Eugênio Birding Guide / Macaulay LibrarySão Paulo, October 27, 2014Adult (Puerto Rico)
The “Puerto Rico” subspecies group has a dark gray throat, blackish back, and prominent white wing patch (present in some other subspecies groups and absent in others).
© Michael Stubblefield / Macaulay LibraryUtuado, February 18, 2019Adult (Continental)
A small, fidgety songbird with a curved, pointed bill; yellow underparts; dark upperparts; and a strong white stripe above the eye. Throat color (white, gray, or black), upperpart color (gray to black), and presence of white wing spot varies between subspecies groups.
© Greg Baker / Macaulay LibraryPichincha, June 03, 2016Not all videos have sound
Adult (Bahamas)
The “Bahamas” group has a whitish throat and upper breast.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibrarySouth Abaco and Moore's Island, November 25, 2006Adult dark morph (Grenada)
The “Grenada” subspecies group includes individuals that are nearly all-black as well as more typically plumaged birds with a yellow breast and white eyestripe.
© Alan Van Norman / Macaulay LibrarySaint George, March 14, 2015Adult (Continental)
Feeds mainly on nectar, using the sharp, curved bill to reach into flowers or pierce them at the base.
© Arthur Gomes / Macaulay LibrarySão Paulo, May 21, 2020Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juvenile has a yellowish eyestripe, limited pale yellow on the underparts, and drab upperparts.
© Michiel Oversteegen / Macaulay LibraryAruba, November 07, 2016Adult (Continental)
Feeds primarily on the nectar of flowering plants.
© Róger Rodríguez Bravo / Macaulay LibraryPuntarenas, July 08, 2013Adult (Greater Antillean)
Builds messy, globe-shaped nests, both for breeding and to serve as “dormitory nests” for roosting birds.
© Justin Proctor / Macaulay LibraryLa Vega, June 04, 2014Not all videos have sound
Adult (Greater Antillean)
Often occurs in pairs or small family groups. Note the yellow rump, found on all subspecies groups.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibrarySaint Andrew, March 22, 2023Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesTropical Parula
Male
Many warblers, such as the Tropical Parula, are small, active birds that use similar habitat to Bananaquit, but warblers lack the Bananaquit's curved bill. Warbler plumages differ from Bananaquit; in particular lacking the sooty head and bold white stripe on the face.
© Andres Vasquez Noboa / Macaulay LibraryPichincha, September 04, 2021Similar SpeciesPuerto Rican Spindalis
Male
Puerto Rican Spindalis is one of four similar spindalis species that overlap with Bananaquit’s range. The males of all four spindalis species have two white stripes on the face, orange-yellow underparts, extensive white wing markings, and a short, thick bill.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryLajas, April 23, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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